Nagano Prefecture has long been known as a region producing excellent wines.
Shiojiri City is famous as the region producing Japan's finest Merlot within the prefecture.
Wines made from Shiojiri Merlot are highly acclaimed worldwide, and it is no exaggeration to say it is the birthplace of Japan's finest Merlot.
This article introduces the wines of "Domaine Kosei," a notable producer in Shiojiri City dedicated to Merlot.
The wine introduced this time at "CRAFT WINE SHOP" is a rare primeur wine only available here.
Please use this as a reference when choosing wine.
About "Domaine Kosei."
"Domaine Kosei" is a winery located in Kataoka, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture.
Located in the Kataoka district of the Shinshu Kikyogahara Wine Valley, it is a notable winery dedicated solely to making wine from "Shiojiri Merlot."
"Domaine Kosei" was established in 2019.
Although still a young winery, its first released red wine, "Kataoka Merlot 2019," won the highest gold award at the Bordeaux Wine Challenge, attracting attention from the wine industry and enthusiasts.
This winery receives constant love calls from famous hotels and food and beverage professionals.
Because of this, many collaboration wines can already be found.
Why is "Domaine Kosei" so attractive?
Let's introduce the reasons below.
Kosei Ajimura, a representative Japanese winemaker.
The owner of "Domaine Kosei" is Mr. Kosei Ajimura.
Mr. Ajimura is a leading figure in Japanese wine, having served as head winemaker at Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery.
Mr. Ajimura, whose family runs a liquor wholesale business, studied wine brewing at Yamanashi University, and worked at a major winery, decided to become independent driven by his desire to create wine he could truly be satisfied with.
He started grape cultivation in 2016 in the Kataoka district of the Shinshu Kikyogahara Wine Valley, and the winery was completed in 2019, giving birth to "Domaine KOSEI."
Driven by a strong desire to make wine by hand according to his own ideas, Mr. Ajimura surprisingly became independent two years before retirement.
Because "Domaine Kosei" embodies everything of Mr. Ajimura, who has served as head winemaker at a globally acclaimed winery, it captures people's hearts.
A commitment to Merlot.
"Domaine Kosei" is synonymous with Merlot.
If asked, "Please tell me the best Merlot in Japan," everyone would undoubtedly introduce "Domaine Kosei."
But why did Mr. Ajimura, who studied winemaking at a university in Yamanashi and continued winemaking in Katsunuma, choose Shiojiri City in Nagano Prefecture?
He chose to make wine in Nagano Prefecture due to various reasons, including the many wineries in Yamanashi Prefecture and his desire to make wine from European grape varieties.
The ideal region Mr. Ajimura arrived at was the Kataoka district in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture.
Kikyogahara is one of Japan's leading Merlot-producing regions and the place where pioneers built the history of Merlot in Japanese wine.
Shiojiri City is known as a region suitable for Merlot due to its large temperature differences between day and night, and many wineries, including "Domaine Kosei," cultivate European grape varieties such as Merlot.
Mr. Ajimura has experience working with Merlot from Kikyogahara during his time at Château Mercian, and he believed that focusing on a single grape variety would help him achieve his dream of winemaking.
"Domaine Kosei"'s own vineyard is located in the Kataoka district at an elevation of around 700 meters, where Merlot is cultivated in ideal soil with excellent drainage and moisture retention, formerly a mulberry field.
A unique point is that roses with the same initial letter as the alphabetically named vineyard plots are planted there.
By planting roses, which are more delicate than grapevines, they can quickly notice and respond to changes in the vineyard.
Furthermore, they insist on "reduced pesticide" cultivation, which is said to be more difficult, harvesting only Merlot that meets Mr. Ajimura's standards.
His life dedicated entirely to Merlot is also a reason for his popularity.
An unrelenting challenge to create Merlot that suits Japanese people.
"Domaine Kosei" is committed to producing a healthy Merlot that suits Japanese tastes.
Rather than imitating the wonderful Merlots found worldwide, they want to create a Merlot tailored specifically for Japanese people, born in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture.
To aim for a clean quality Merlot, they use only the purest juice, employ state-of-the-art equipment, maintain strict hygiene, and carefully manage wine storage—these meticulous details are unique to Mr. Ajimura.
They also pay close attention to cork taint, selecting the highest quality corks possible.
And "Domaine Kosei" is also famous for its excellent use of barrels.
They use various barrels depending on the wine, including top-quality French oak, American oak, and blends of both.
Since "Domaine Kosei" is challenging long-term aging Merlot, older vintages are popular and some labels are hard to obtain.
"Japanese Merlot has finally reached this level."
Anyone who tastes wine from "Domaine Kosei" will likely feel this way.
"Domaine Kosei" Primeur
The wines from "Domaine Kosei" introduced by "CRAFT WINE SHOP" are the first primeur introduced in Japan.
Primeur, meaning "new" in French, is simply a system of pre-selling wines aging in barrels, like a futures market for wine.
Globally, Bordeaux primeur is famous, where various châteaux sell barrel-aged wines before they become products, and stakeholders taste from barrels to decide whether to buy.
The primeur from "Domaine Kosei" also uses this system, selling wines still maturing in barrels before bottling.
Multiple wines are tasted, and buyers purchase barrels of those they see potential in.
In other words, wines purchased as primeur can only be obtained from the buyers, making them extremely rare.
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" has prepared four types of primeur from "Domaine Kosei."
These are highly rare wines that can only be purchased at "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
Since these wines can be enjoyed with long-term aging, purchasing all four and trying aging is also recommended.
Now, let's introduce the primeur wines from "Domaine Kosei" presented by "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2020
A 2020 vintage aged in French oak.
Aroma of ripe berries, smooth mouthfeel, and a fresh impression of acidity.
A concentrated flavor with soft tannins from aging, resulting in an elegant finish typical of Japanese Merlot.
The balance is perfect; it is at its best drinking stage now but still shows great aging potential.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2020 8,800 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2021
A 2021 vintage aged in French oak.
Compared to 2020, it has sharp acidity and tannins that provide a tense, refined structure.
Aromas of black fruits, spice, and herbs create complexity, with an astonishingly smooth mouthfeel.
Blind tasting might mistake it for an overseas Merlot, changing the concept of Japanese Merlot.
This Merlot is so exciting that you can't wait to age it.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2021 8,800 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2022
A 2022 vintage aged in French oak.
A refreshing aroma with impressions of plum, blueberry, herbs, and green notes.
A well-balanced finish with delicate acidity and tannins that form the structure.
The mouthfeel is soft, and the fruit flavors spreading in the mouth are very elegant and refined.
A Japanese-style Merlot that seems to pair well with Japanese cuisine, enjoyable both now and after aging.
Buying two bottles and drinking one now while aging the other is also recommended.
Please also enjoy vertical tastings with other vintages.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2022 8,800 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2023
This time, the youngest vintage is the 2023 Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot.
A Merlot aged in American oak, offering a unique charm different from other vintages.
You can enjoy aromas of black fruits like plum, clove notes from the barrel, and pleasant herbal aromas.
Although aged in American oak, the vanilla and coconut nuances are subtle, resulting in an astonishingly elegant and delicate finish.
Being young, it has firm acidity, sharpness, and tannins, but the balance is good, making it an exciting bottle to see how it will mature.
It seems to pair well with Japanese cuisine, making you want to try various combinations.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2023 8,800 yen (tax included)
Go to the purchase page here!
Summary
Since its establishment in 2019, "Domaine Kosei" has already become a central figure in Japanese wine.
As the first winery in Japan to introduce primeur, there is no doubt that they will continue to show innovative efforts.
The primeur wine from "Domaine Kosei" introduced this time is extremely rare and can only be purchased at "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
Why not take this opportunity to try purchasing it?
